Michael Gove says 'Brexit freedoms' mean pollution rules can be watered down

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Environmental activists have hit out at Rishi Sunak's government after he confirmed that European-era restrictions that force builders to homes to mitigate the impact of new developments on rivers would be removed.

< p>Secretary of State for Upgrading Michael Gove has defended plans to remove 'clumsy' environmental protections from the European era on nutrient neutrality – hailing it as a benefit of Brexit to boost housing.

Mr. Gove said it was a 'myth' that the water quality of UK rivers has deteriorated under the Tory government, saying they 'were all cleaner than they were in the past

The government has argued that housing estates contribute only a small fraction of nutrient pollution and new funding is planned to mitigate any associated increases.

But environmental campaigners accused the government of going back on its word and suggested the change would save developers money, calling it a 'disgraceful decision'.

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S' Speaking on a visit to a new housing estate near Norwich, Mr Sunak told TV stations that the housing construction boost would be "fantastic for young first-time home buyers".

Current nutrient neutrality rules prevent developers from building homes in protected areas when doing so would add harmful substances like nitrogen and phosphorus to nearby rivers and lakes, as these nutrients can cause an algae bloom which deprives other plants and animals of light and oxygen.

Under EU legislation, Natural England is currently issuing guidelines to 62 local authorities, requiring that new developments are nutrient neutral in their area. This requirement will now be watered down to become guidance.

The changes will see the financial burden of nutrient pollution mitigation for new housing shifted from developers to taxpayers – with the government promising to double investments in nutrient mitigation program. by Natural England, at £280 million. A further £166m will be allocated to slurry infrastructure grants.

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The changes are proposed...